A political deadlock in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation has sparked speculation of a Shinde Sena–MNS alliance. If finalised, the new equation could change civic power dynamics, pushing BJP and the Thackeray faction out of contention.
Political Deadlock in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation
Mumbai: The political situation in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has taken an interesting turn after no single party managed to secure a clear majority. The fractured mandate has opened the door for new alliances and unexpected political equations that could significantly alter the balance of power in the civic body.
According to political sources, there is a strong possibility that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (Shinde Sena) may form an alliance with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to establish control over the municipal corporation. If this alliance materialises, it could result in the formation of a new governing body in KDMC, sidelining both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction.
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Discussions between leaders of the Shinde Sena and MNS have reportedly been ongoing since the previous day. While neither party has issued an official statement confirming the alliance, recent developments have added weight to the speculation.
The political buzz intensified on Wednesday, January 21, when five MNS councillors and 53 councillors from the Shinde Sena reached the Konkan Divisional Commissioner’s office at the same time for group registration. The timing of their arrival has been described by many as more than a coincidence, suggesting a calculated political move.
This joint appearance has fuelled speculation that groundwork for a power-sharing arrangement is already underway, even though both parties continue to maintain silence publicly.
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To elect a mayor in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, a minimum of 62 councillors is required. Currently, the Shinde Sena holds 53 councillors, while the BJP has 50. Sources indicate that the Shinde faction is also in talks to bring two councillors from the Thackeray-led group on board.
Additionally, some councillors who had earlier returned from the Thackeray camp to MNS are expected to remain loyal to MNS if the alliance forms. This could raise MNS’s strength to seven councillors, helping the proposed alliance comfortably cross the majority mark.
During their visit to the commissioner’s office, Shinde Sena and MNS councillors reportedly met senior leaders including MP Shrikant Shinde, Naresh Mhaske, and Raju Patil. Photographs of this meeting have since gone viral on social media, further intensifying political speculation.
Speaking on the issue, MP Shrikant Shinde stated that MNS has extended support to the Shinde Sena. He emphasised that anyone willing to support development would be welcomed into the alliance, indicating a pragmatic approach to governance.
While official confirmation is still awaited, the evolving situation suggests that KDMC politics may soon witness a dramatic shift. If the Shinde Sena–MNS alliance is finalised, it could redefine local power dynamics and set the stage for a new political chapter in Kalyan-Dombivli.
